This year, there is no suspense. Two years ago, two decisive polls in Georgia decided the balance in the Senate. But if the Democrats already have the majority after the midterm elections in November, the second round between the outgoing Raphael Warnock and the Republican supported by Donald Trump, Herschel Walker, will allow this Tuesday to draw several lessons.
Will Democrats Control Senate Committees?
In the US Senate, there is a big difference between 50-50 and 51-49. In the event of a tie, if Herschel Walker wins, we would remain at 50-50 with Kamala Harris as referee, who would effectively give the Democrats a majority. But in the event of Raphael Warnock’s victory and a real 51-49 majority, the Democrats would gain control of all the committees (Budget, judiciary, etc.) in the Senate. This would allow them to speed up the appointment of judges and possible members of the Biden administration, but also to have control over subpoenas, and better counterbalance the investigations that Republicans in the House have promised to do. open.
Can the Democrats do without Joe Manchin?
At 50-50, the Democrats had no right to defection and were forced to cajole West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, particularly on climate and energy. A Warnock win would give them some room. And would protect their majority in the event of the death of an elected official – a disastrous scenario far from improbable with several octogenarians. Whatever happens, however, we risk witnessing a legislative blockage, with a House controlled by the Republicans.
Does the lose continue for Donald Trump?
Arizona, Pennsylvania, Nevada… The candidates supported by Donald Trump in the most disputed states weighed down the Republicans in the midterms. Herschel Walker, a former American football player accused of domestic violence and having paid for the abortions of two ex-girlfriends, received the support of Donald Trump during the primaries, to the chagrin of Mitch McConnell. While the mobilization of the Republican electorate seems weaker for this second round, the former American president tried to ring the mobilization on Truth Social. While he embarked on the presidential race in 2024 two years in advance, a new failure of one of his foals would weaken Donald Trump a little more in view of the primaries which promise to be disputed.